Perforating device for music-rolls.



PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

H. P. BALL.

PERFORATING DEVICE FOR MUSIC ROLLS.

APPLICATION FILED T13R18. 1902.

3 SHEETS-SH3 f W ATTQKIEY WiTNESSES PATBNTED JAN. 3, 1905.

H. 1?. BALL.

PEEFORATING DEVICE FOR MUSIC ROLLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.18, 1902.

No. 778,835. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

H. P. BALL.

PERPORATING DEVICE FOR MUSIC ROLLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1902.

ssHEETs-sHBET a.

WITNESSES: E

BY I

l'auqawmt ATTORNEY UNITED STATES Patented January 3, 1905.

PATENT OEEIcE.

HENRY PRICE BALL, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL INSULL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PERFORATING DEVICE FOR MUSIC-ROLLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 778,835, dated January 3, 1905.

Application filed February 18,1902. Serial No. 94,633.

To (1/7]. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY PRICE BALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county and State of Ne W York, have invented a certain new Perforating Device for Music-Rolls, of which the following is a speci- My invention relates to a device adapted to be used in connection with a musical instrumentsuch, for instance, as a piano and which while the operator plays upon the instrument will act to perforate a moving strip of paper and in such manner that the perforations will indicate and will also serve to reproduce the musical composition played by the operator when the music-roll is used upon and in connection with a suitable mechanical instrument-such, for instance, as those now commonly known in the art as the pianola, angelus, aeolian, &c.

Attempts have heretofore been made to perforate a music-roll through mechanical devices operated atfthe same time that the composition is played upon a musical instrument. Such attempts have, however, failed, owing to the fact, first, that the movement of the lingers of the player may be so quick that the mechanical perforating device will not respond to it, and therefore fail to produce the required perforation; second, that a single note may be repeated so quickly that the mechanical deviceinstead of perforating a series of separated round holes which will indicate the note played will produce a series of round holes which run into each other or otherwise produce a perforation such as is commonly employed to produce asustained note.

The object of my invention, therefore, may be stated to be the construction of a perforating device Which when operated at a speed corresponding to the tempo of the composition played will automatically perforate a music-roll with the required holes and character of holes to produce a master-roll which when it or a duplicate is employed in connection with a suitable mechanical musical device and operated at the speed at which the roll was produced will exactly reproduce the composition played.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a piano, also showing in elevation the perforating apparatus mounted on the top of the piano and further illustrating a portion of the mechanism introduced between the piano-keys and the perforating mechanism and diagrammatically the electrical-circuit connections between the perforating apparatus and its motive apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view illustrating an electrical connection between a piano-key and the perforating apparatus and which may be used as a substitute for the mechanical connection. Fig. 4 is a corresponding view showing a pneumatic connection between a piano-key and the perforating apparatus. Fig. 5 is a section on line Y Y of Fig. 6 of the perforating mechanism shown in Fig. 1 with the front of case removed. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line Z Z of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 and illustrates the second position of the parts. Fig. 8 is a similar view and shows the third position. Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 8 and shows a punch in the lowest position. Fig. 10 is an enlarged side view of the cam mechanism. Fig. 11 is an enlarged side view of the eccentric mechanism. Fig. 12 is a side view of the eccentric and punch for perforating rack-holes along the edge of the music-roll. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the music-roll.

In the drawings, 5 indicates the frame of a piano or other musical instrument; 6, keyboard; 7, perforator mounted in the present case on the top of the piano. It may have other relation relative to the musical instrument.

8 is the motor for driving the perforatingmachine; 9, dynamo from which the motor receives its current; 10, rheostat for governing the speed of the motor in order that the speed at which the perforating device is driven shall correspond with the tempo of the musical composition played; 11, switch between dynamo and motor; 12, keys of the musical instrument upon which the composition is played; 13, a series of wire rods which connect at one end to a key of the musical instrument and at the opposite end to one end of a series of pivoted levers 14, Fig. 6. Connected to the opposite end of the series of pivoted levers 14 are a series of cords 15, which pass over pulleys 16 and are connected to the long arm of a series of pivoted bell-cranks 17 18. Arranged above and below the long arms of the bell-cranks 17 18 are the limiting-pins 19, and introduced between the short arm of the bell-cranks 17 18 and the lower limiting-pins are springs 20, which normally press the long arm of the bellcranks in contact with the upper limiting-pins.

In place of using the mechanical deviee- 2'. 6., the rods and levers introduced between the keys 12 and the cords 15I may make use of an electrical device, as shown in Fig. 3. This device consists for each key of a source of energy 21, magnet 22, provided with an armature and connected to the cord 15, and also a switch device 23, resting on the rear of the key 12 and adapted to be closed when the key is depressed, or instead of using such electrical device I may use a pneumatic device, such as is shown in Fig. 4, which may consist of the bellows 24, operated by a foot-treadle 25 and bellows 26, to which the cord 15 is attached. The rear of a key 12 is connected through a suitable device and pipe in order that when the key 12 is depressed the bellows 26 will collapse and make traction on the cord 15.

I do not limit myself to any particular form of mechanically or otherwise actuated device for communicating the motion of the keys 12 to the cords 15, as very many different devices may be employed to produce traction upon such cords.

The perforating device consists of a frame 27, in the side plates of which are journal ed the driven shafts 28 29 3O 31. Motion is communicated from the motor 8 to the shaft 28 by means of the belt 32 and pulley 33 on shaft 28. Mounted on shaft 28 is a gear 34, in gear with a pinion 35 on shaft 29 and through which motion is communicated to shaft 29. The gearing between the shafts 28 and 29 is such that the shaft 28 will make one revolution while shaft 29 makes four revolutions. I do not limit myself to the relative speed of the two shafts as stated, as other relation may exist. Located on the opposite end of shaft 29 is a beveled gear 36, in gear with a similar beveled gear 37 on the end of the vertical shaft 38, on the lower end of which is a worm 38, Fig. 2, which 'coacts with the gear 39 on the end of the shaft 30 and communicates motion to such shaft. The shaft 30, it will be observed, by reason of the gearing described will rotate at a fixed relative speed as regards the speed of rotation of the shaft 29, the speeds being so proportioned that afiXed point on the periphery of the driving-roller on shaft 30 will advance one-twentieth of an inch for each revolution of the shaft 29.

' scribed.

Mounted on and secured to the shaft 28 at each end are the eccentrics 40, (best shown in Figs. 5, 6,and 12,) which are connected,through rods 41, to a pivoted lever 42, on the forward end of which is located a punch 43. These two punches serve to perforate the paper on the outside edges for the purpose of forming rack holes, which will hereinafter be de- These punches are, however, not essential and may be dispensed with.

Mounted loosely on the 'shaft 28 are a series of cams 44, the number of which corresponds with the number of keysof the piano or other instrument with which the perforating device is employed. Pivoted on each cam 44 is a latch 45, and under the tail end of the latch is aspring 46, which normally tends to press such tail end upward and hook end of the latch downward.

Secured to the shaft 28 between the successive cams 44 by a key or other device are a series of toothed wheels 47, the teeth of which are adapted to be engaged in a manner hereinafter described by the hook end of the latch 45.

Arranged transversely of the frame 27 and rigidly secured in the frame is a rod 48, and pivoted upon this rod are a series of hellcranks 49, which correspond in number with the number of cams 44. Situated behind each bell-crank is a spring 50, which bears on the lower arm of the bell-crank and normally serves to hold the bell-crank in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 -that is, with its upper arm in the path of movement of the periphery of the cam 44. Also arranged transversely of the frame 27 is a rod 51, over which is placed a tube of resilient material 52, such as rubber, against which the lower arm of the bell-crank 49 normally bears and which serves as a limiting-stop and buffer.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 29 are a series of eccentrics 53, corresponding in number to the cams 44. On each eccentric 53 is pi'votally mounted a latch 54, under the tail end of which is a spring 55, which normally tends to lift the tail end of the latch 54. Secured to the shaft 29 by means of a key or otherwise between successive eccentrics are a series of toothed wheels 56, which coact with the latches 54. Surrounding each eccentric 53 is a strap 57, carrying a punch 58. The connection of the punch 58 to the strap 57 is through a pivoted joint 59.

Located under the punches 58 43 is a series of oscillatingframes 60,collectively supported upon a convex transverse bearing 61 and in such manner that each of the frames may independently oscillate upon the bearing 61. The forward end of each frame is provided with a vertical bearing 62, within which the punches 58 or 43. reciprocate. Located under the bearings 62 are the die-seats 63, which are separated a sufficient distance from the vertical bearings 62 to allow the passage between them of the paper which forms the music-roll. Projecting from the bottom. of each frame is a pin 64, which normally bears against a horizontal bar 65, which serves to limit the downward oscillation of the frames 60. Projecting also from the bottom of each frame is an eye 66, between which and the pin 64 is a spring 67, which normally exerts tension to cause the pin 64 to bear upon the rod 65.

Mounted on the tube 68, which incloses and has its bearing on the fixed shaft 69, is a roll of paper 7 O. The other end of the roll of paper is connected to a tube 71, which incloses and has its bearing upon the fixed shaft 31. The fixed shaft 31 is mounted in boxes 72, situated in slots 7 3 in the side plates of the frame 27, and over the boxes are arranged springs 74, the object of which arrangement is to allow vertical movement of the boxes 72 in the slots 73 as the paper is wound upon the tube 71.

Mounted on the shaft 30 is a friction-roll 7 5, which bears upon the paper on the tube 71. It will be observed that the friction-roll 75 is a positively-driven roll and that by reason of its frictional relation with the paper on the tube 71 the paper is moved forward at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 6, and wound upon the tube 71.

The speed at which the paper moves and is wound upon the tube 71 will depend upon the speed at which the perforating device is is driven, but will be constant and advance one-twentieth of an inch for each revolution of the shaft 29 and irrespective of the rate of revolution of such shaft, and, further, that by reason of the construction of the oscillating frames practically no tension will be exerted upon the paper by the movement of the punches 58 and that the shaft 31 will adjust itself vertically in the slots 73 to accommodate for the increased size of the roll as the paper is wound upon the tube 71.

The operation of my device is as follows: The speed of the motor 8 is first regulated. by means of the rheostat 10, to correspond to the tempo of the composition about to be played. As soon as the machine is started the paper is advanced at a constant speed, and so long as no motion is imparted to the keys 12 of the piano nothing will happen to the paper-roll, except that it will wind off of the tube 68 onto the tube 71. When now the fingers of the performer strike a key or keys of the piano, the perforating portion of the apparatus is thrown into operation.

I will first describe for the sake of clearness the action of a single key, it being understood that the action of all of the keys is exactly the same.

WVhen the operator depresses a key 12 upon the keyboard, the movement of the key downward is communicated to a cord 15 through the interposed mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic device employed and the motion downward of the cord to the bellcranks 17 and 18, which are thereby drawn into the position indicated in Fig. 7. As the long arm of the bell-crank 17 is moved downward it trips the latch 45 on the cam 44, which latch through its hook end engages with one of the teeth on a toothed wheel 47. As the toothed wheel 47 is rigidly connected to the shaft 28 and is moved positively thereby the cam 44 is rotated in the direction of the arrow2'. 0., to the right-carrying with it the latch 45, which latch after it has traversed one hundred and eighty degrees is brought in contact with the long arm of the bell-crank 18, which releases the hook of the latch from engagement with the wheel 47, the parts at this moment being in the position shown in Fig. 8.

The above action supposes that the key 12 of the piano has been struck and held down by the performer during the period required for the latch 45 on the cam 44 to move through one hundred and eighty degrees. 1f, however, the performer has struck the key a very light blow and immediately released it, the long arm of the bell-crank 18 at the time when the latch 45 has traversed one hundred and eighty degrees would at that moment be in the position shown in Fig. 6, and the latch 45 would not engage with the bell-crank 18, but traverse three hundred and sixty degrees, when the latch would be released from engagement with the wheel 47 through the action of the bell-crank 17.

The above description has referred wholly to the control exercised by the performer over the cam 44. I will now describe how the cam 44 controls the action of the punch 58.

Before a key 12 is depressed the parts occupy the relation shown in Fig. 6--that is to say, the upper arm of the bell-crank 49 bears on the under surface of the cam 44 and the lower arm upon the tail of the latch 54, thereby holding the latch 54 out of engagement with the toothed wheel 56 on the shaft 29, and the eccentric 53, on which the latch 54 is mounted and which carries the punch 58, is at rest. After the cam 44 has rotated through ninety degrees its cam-surface bears upon the upper arm of the bell-crank 49, pushing said arm downward and moving the lower arm of such bell-crank backward out of engagement with the latch 54 on the. eccentric 53, and thereby permitting the latch 54 to engage with the toothed wheel 56. Immediately such engagement takes place the eccentric 53 is rotated to the left, carrying the punch 58 downward and through the paper 70 and as the movement of the eccentric continues draws the punch out of the paper. The upper position of the eccentric, latch and punch, and frame is shown in Fig. 6 and the lowest position in Fig. 9.

It will be observed on reference to Fig. 6 that when the punch 58 is in its highest position the stop 64 on the frame is against the pin 65, whereas in Fig. 9 when the punch is in its lowest position the stop 64 does not bear upon pin and the spring 67 is under tension. One object of arranging the frame 60 so that it will oscillate is to prevent tearing the music-roll by the punch. It will be understood that if the punch were moved forward through a fixed die and the paper given a continuous forward movement the paper would be torn by the punch. In order to avoid this condition, each frame is arranged when the punch is down and the paper held between the punch and the die-seat to move forward when tension is made upon it by the forward movement of the paper, and thus compensate for the resistance to which the paper is subjected against continuous forward motion. A further object of providing independent oscillating frames in which the punches operate is to insure the required perforations in the music-roll and irrespective of how quickly different notes follow each other.

It will be understood from the description given that by reason of the time limit and the movement of the paper through one-twentieth of an inch two distinct notes from the same key cannot be closer than one-fifth of an inch between centers; but by reason of the large number of teeth upon the toothed wheels on shafts 28 and 29 and the provision of independent frames for the punches and dies dissimilar notes from two or more keys may if struck at once appear on the musicroll in line or if struck rapidly in succession appear on the music-roll as a series of perforations following one another, the distance between the successive perforations corresponding exactly to the difference in time in which they are played. It will be further seen that by reason of the construction described the spaces between these notes will depend entirely upon the rapidity with which these notes are struck by the performer, and the distance between them will not be affected by any mechanical consideration with the exception of the number of subdivisions of the toothed wheels and the relative movement of the paper, the movement of both of which may be made so rapid as to be in excess of the physical capacity of a performer to strike notes which cannot be recorded.

Assuming now the first condition stated in regard to cam 44i. 0., when the'key 12 is depressed and the key held down until the cam traverses one hundred and eighty degreesit will be seen that when the cam 44 is brought to rest by the action of the bellcrank 18 in releasing the latch 45, and thereby stopping the motion of the earn, the upper arm of the bell-crank 49 rests upon the extreme point of the cam-surface and that the lower arm of the bell-crank is thrown to the right and out of the position where it could engage with the latch 54. Consequently if the operator continues to depress a key the eccentric 53 will produce an up-and-down movement of the punch 58, and this movement will be continued so long as the key 12 is held down. If it is now borne in mind that the movement of the paper forward, as stated, is one-twentieth of an inch for each revolution of the shaft 29, it will be seen, assuming the holes to be one-tenth of an inch in diameter, that such holes will overlap upon the paper, forming thereby a continuous slot, such as is commonly employed to produce a sustained note, the length of the slot depending upon the length of time which the operator maintains the depression of the key 12. This condition is indicated at A, Fig. 13.

Assuming now the second C011Clllll0l1-7:. 0., when the key 12 is momentarily depressed and the bell-crank 18 allowed to rise to the position shown in Fig. 6 before the latch 45 has described one hundred and eighty degrees in this case the rotation of the cam depresses the upper arm of the bell-crank 49, releases the latch 54,and permits rotation of the eccentric 53; but as the lower arm of the bellcrank 49 is brought to its original position before the latch 54 on the eccentric has described one revolution the eccentric is brought to rest, and the punch will have made but one perforation in the paper. If now it is assumed that the operator has struck the key a slight blow and has caused the punch, as above stated, to make one movement through the paper andhas immediately followed his first blow with a second light blow, the motion of the cam, eccentrics, and other parts will be exactly reproduced, with the result that two perforations will be made through the paper one-tifth of an inch between centers, as indicated at B, Fig. 13. It should be taken into consideration in considering this figure that the size of the holes and the distance between the holes is increased above that stated for the purposes of illustration.

It will be understood from the description as given above that a time interval will elapse between the depression of a key upon a piano and the recording through the perforating device of such movement. In other words, the cam 44 must make a movement through one hundred and eighty degrees to trip the latch 54 on the eccentric 53 before any motion of the eccentric to operate a punch will take place, and, further, that after the cam 44 has been released from its one hundred andeighty-degree position by the upward movement of the bell-crank 18 the latch 45 will again engage with the toothed wheel 47, and a further movement of the cam through one hundred and eighty degrees must take place to bring the cam back to the position. (a, its original position where the latch 45 can be again tripped. It will be further understood that such time insures, no matter how fast a composition may be played, the registration of every note struck by the performer upon the piano on the musicroll by making certain perforations in such roll. I have described as a means for effecting such time interval a special mechanism consisting of a cam and other parts. I wish it understood, however, that I do not limit myself to any such special mechanism, as it will be obvious that many different devices may be introduced between a key of a musical instrument and a punch and which will accomplish the same result. Further, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the particular construction of the fraines which carry the bearings for the reciprocating punch and the die-seat, as other devices may be used.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A perforating device for music-rolls embodying in its construction. means whereby a definite time interval will occur between the energizing of the device and the action of the device, and means whereby the action of the device will be continued until a second delinite time interval in the operation of the device begins.

2. A perforating device for music-rolls embodying in its construction, a key adapted to be struck by the performer, perforating mechanism adapted to record the movement of said key upon a moving strip, and a device introduced between the two which has for its purpose to introduce a time limit between the striking of the key and the response thereto on the part of the perforating device.

3. In combination with the keys of a musical instrument, a perforating device, and means whereby a predetermined time interval will elapse between the depression of a key on said instrument and the recording of such depression upon a music-roll moving through said perforating device.

4. In combination with a key of a musical instrument, means whereby the movement of said key will be recorded upon a moving strip of paper, and means introduced between said key and said recording means whereby a predetermined interval of time will elapse between the movement of the key and the action of the recording device.

5. A perforating-machine adapted to be employed with a musical instrument, comprising in its construction a driven shaft, on which is mounted a series of cams, a second driven shaft on which is mounted a series of eccentrics, means for throwing the cams into en gagement with said first-named driven shaft,

and means for throwing said eccentrics into en gagement with said second-named driven shaft.

6. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction a driven shaft, a series of cams on the shaft, a second driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on such shaft, means for throwing said cams into engagement with said firstcams for throwing said eccentrics in engagement with said second-named shafts.

7. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction a driven shaft, a series of cams on the shaft, a latch on each cam, a series of toothed wheels, a pair of bell-cranks for each cam adapted to coact with said latch, and means for actuating the bell-cranks.

8. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, a series of cams on the shaft, means for individually connecting the cams with the shaft, means for throwing the cams into and out of connection with the shaft, a second driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on said shaft, means for connecting the eccentrics individually with the shaft, and means introduced between the respective cams and eccentrics for throwing the eccentrics into and out of operation.

9. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, a series of cams on the shaft, means for connecting and disconnecting said cams individually from the shaft, a second driven shaft, a series of eccentrics upon the shaft, and means for individually connecting and disconnecting said eccentrics from said shaft.

10. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on the shaft, means for connecting and disconnecting said eccentrics individually to and from said shaft, a perforating device connected to each eccentric, and a die-seat for each of said punches.

11. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on the shaft, means for connecting and disconnecting said eccentrics individually to and from said shaft, a perforating device connected to each eccentric, and an oscillating die-seat for each of said punches.

12. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a series of reciprocating punches, a series of independent and separately-movable die-seats, one for each punch, a pair of. rolls carrying the paper to be perforated, and means for imparting to the paper a fixed rate of movement relative to that of the reciprocation of the punches.

13. A pcrforating-machine comprisingin its construction aseries of reciprocating punches. a series of independent and separately-movable die-seats, one for each punch, a pair of rolls carrying the paper to be perforated, and means for imparting to the paper a definite forward movement within the time required to reciprocate a punch and entirely irrespective of the number of reciprocations made by a punch within a given time.

14. A perforatingmachine comprising in its construction, a series of reciprocating punches, an individual die-seat for each punch, a roll carrying a body of paper to be perforated, a vertically-adjustablc roll upon which the pa- IIO named shaft, and means energized by said l per is to be wound, and means for imparting 3 to the paper on the second-named roll a definite forward movement within the time of a reciprocation of a punch.

15. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, an eccentric on opposite ends of said shaft, a punch carried by each eccentric, and a movabledie-seat for each punch.

16. A perforating-m achine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, an eccentric on opposite ends of said shaft, a punch carried by each eccentric, and a reciprocating dieseat for each punch.

17. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction, a driven shaft, a plurality of cocentrics on said shaft, a punch carried by 'each eccentric, a die-seat for each punch, and

means whereby simultaneous movement will be imparted to the die-seats.

18. A perforating device for music-rolls embodyingin its construction, a series of keys, a driven shaft, a series of cams loosely mounted on said shaft, means interposed between said keys and said cams for throwing said cams into and out of connection with said shaft, and a series of punches controlled by the movement of said cams.

19. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction,a series of reciprocating punches, and a series of die-seats for said punches carried in individual and separate reciprocating frames.

20. A perforating-machine comprising in its construction,a series of reciprocating punches, a series of die-seats, a series of individual and separate frames carrying said die-seats, and means whereby a forward reciprocation of the die-seats will take place when the punches which coact with saiddie-seats are passing through the paper of the music-roll passing over said die-seats.

21. As ameans for recording musical notes played on the keyboard of amechanical musical instrument, the combination with the keyboard, of a recording device adapted to record a note within a definite period of time, in duration less than that required by the performer to produce the original note.

22. As a means for recording musical notes played upon the keyboard of amechanical musical instrument, the combination with a keyboard, of a mechanical recording device, whose speed of movement is such as to record the note struck on the keyboard in less time than is required by the performer to sound the note.

23. In combination with a keyboard, a punching mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism, a time-limit device introduced between the key-board and the punching mechanism, and means whereby the paper will be advanced a fixed amount between successive movements of any punch.

24. In combination with a keyboard, a series of punches, a series of punch-controllers which serve to introduce a time limit between the keyboard and the punches,a paper-feedingmechanism, and means whereby the paper will be advanced a fixed amount between succes-- sive movements of any key of a keyboard.

25. In combination with a keyboard. a punching mechanism, a paper-feeding mechanism moved at constant speed, and means whereby the paper is advanced a fixed amount between successive punching engagements of any punch.

26. A recording device for keyboard control having incorporated in its construction, a recording means, and an intervening means between the recording means and the keyboard, whereby the record produced will be shortened afixed amount as regards the movements of each key of the keyboard.

27. A recording device such as described, comprising a recording means and a keyboard, and an intermediate device whereby the move ments of the keys are transmitted to their respective recording means only after an ap preciable fixed period of time has been caused to lapse.

28. A recording device comprising a punching means whereby the punch can be thrown into and out of action, and a second means whereby the punch will lose a certain given number of operations each time it is thrown into action.

29. A recording device such as described, comprising a punching mechanism, a positively-acting controlling mechanism, which is independent of the paper-feed and is limited in its movements relative to those of the p unching mechanism, and a keyboard for controlling the controlling mechanism.

30. A recording device for keyboard con trol, comprising a series of punches, and a series of mechanisms driven by the same source of power as the punches, whereby the punches are caused to lose their punching operations a certain number of times each time they are thrown in.

31. A recording device for the purpose described, comprising a keyboard and a controlling mechanism immediately responsive thereto, and a perforating-machine responsive to the controlling mechanism after the controlling mechanism has caused a certain time to lapse.

32. A recording-machine such as described, consisting of a punch, means for actuating the same, and means whereby the punch misses a certain given number of punching operations each time it is thrown into action.

33. A recording-machine such as described, comprisingapunch, means actuatingthe same, a controlling means driven by the actuating means, and a keyboard operating the same.

34. A recording-machine such as described, comprising a series of punches, a driving means, and a series of controllers geared to the driving means, and a keyboard throwing the controllers into and out of action.

35. A recording-machine comprising a series of punches and a common driver, aseries of controllers, and a keyboard for selecting the controllers.

86. A recordingmachine comprising a punch, means tending to throw said punch into action, and a restraining means under control of the operator.

37. A recording-machine comprising a series of punches, a series of means tending to throw all the punches into action, a series of restraining means, and a controllingkeyboard.

38. In a recording device such as described, a punch, means for throwing the punch into and out of action, a second means whereby the punch will remain in action until it has gone through at least one punching operation.

39. In a perforating-machine such as described, a series of punches driven ata given speed, and a series of controllers driven at a difierent speed but at a constant ratio to the speed of the punches.

40. In a perforating-machine such as described, a series of punches, and a series of selectors, both series normally at rest, means whereby certain of the punches and their respective selectors will be thrown into action at a certain relative speed.

41. In a punching-machine such as described, a series of punches, a driver therefor at high speed, and a series of selectors under the control of a keyboard, said selectors running at a slower speed.

42. In a punchingmachine such as described, a series of punches, a driver therefor running at a certain speed, a series of selectors, one for each punch running at a fractional part of said speed, and a keyboard for the selectors.

43. In a punching machine such as described, a keyboard and a punching-machine, and timing device driven by the punchingmachine.

44. In a punching-machine such as described, a keyboard and a, punching-machine. and an intervening timing device driven at a fixed speed to the punching-machine.

45. In a punchingmachine such as described, a series of mechanically-driven controllers. one for each punch, and means regulating the speed of said controllers to suit the piece to be recorded.

46. In a punching-machine such as described, a series of punches, a keyboard, and a series of mechanically-driven controllers, one for each punch, said controllers running at a speed equal to the speed of repetition of any one note on the keyboard.

47. A punch, a controller governing its action, a key, means whereby the controller Will make one revolution for each movement of the key irrespective of the time the key is pressed down.

48. A key, a punch, a controllerfor the punch introduced between the key and the punch, and means under control of the key for starting and stopping the motion of the controller.

49. A series of keys, a series of punches. a series of controllers capable of rotation introduced between the keys and the punches, a driver common to the punches and controllers, and a keyboard selecting the controller.

50. A series of keys, a series of punches, a series of time-limit controllers timed in their movement to the punches and introduced between the keys and the punches, and a keyboard for selecting the controllers.

51. A series of punches, a series of time limit controllers, the punches and controllers running at a fixed relative speed, and a keyboard selecting the controllers.

52. A series of punches, a series of timelimit-controlling cams, and a keyboard for throwing the cams into and out of action.

53. A series of punches and a series of timelimit-controlling cams, a driver common to both, and means whereby certain of said cams will be thrown into or out of action.

54. In a punching-machine as described, a punching mechanism comprising a verticallyreciprocating punch and die. traveling at the speed of the paper during perforating action.

55. In a punching-machine such as described, a punching mechanism comprising a reciprocating punch, and a die moved by the material being perforated.

56. In a punching mechanism such as de scribed, a reciprocating die, a die-seat therefor, and a mounting for said die and seat, whereby such parts will move in the direction of travel of the material being perforated when subjected to the tractive movement of said material.

57. In a perforating device for music-rolls, and in combination with the punches and the paper to be perforated, means for producing a uniform movement of the paper, means for controlling the operation of each punch. and means for introducing a uniform time limit between possible operations of a punch per unit of movement of the paper to be perforated by the punch.

58. A perforating device for music-rolls, comprisingaseries of punches, mechanism for producing the required movement of the material to be perforated under the punches, mechanism for actuating the punches, a controlling mechanism for each punch, and means whereby, after the controlling mechanism of a punch has been thrown into action and the corresponding punch actuated, said punch cannot be again actuated by striking the same controlling mechanism until a definite movement of the material to be perforated has taken place.

59. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of rotating cams, a series of retating eccentrics, a series of punches, and in- IIO terposed mechanism whereby movement is given to the parts.

60. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, aseries of rotating eccentrics, a series of punches actuated thereby, and a series of selecting devices for throwing one or more eccentrics into action.

61. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a rotating shaft, a series of eccentrics loose on said shaft, a punch secured to each eccentric, a series of toothed wheels secured to said shaft, means for throwing the eccentrics into engagement with the toothed wheels, and means for selecting the eccentric or eccentrics to be thus operated.

62. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of punches, and a series of selectors, one for each punch, means for retaining the selectors in their actuated position until the selected punches have responded thereto, said response occurring after a certain definite time has elapsed.

63. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a keyboard, a punch, means for actuating the punch, and means for introducing a definite time interval between the time of actuating the keyboard and the time of actuating the punch.

64. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a keyboard, controlling a series of punches, one key for each punch, a series of punches, means for actuating the punches, means for throwing the actuating mechanism into operative position at the instant a key is depressed, and means for introducing a definite time interval between the depression of a key and the action of the punch corresponding thereto.

65. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, the combination of a driven shaft, 2. series of cams on said shaft, means introduced between said cams and said shaft for connecting said cams to said shaft at will, a second driven shaft, a series of eccentrics upon said shaft, and means introduced between said cams and said eccentrics for throwing said eccentrics into and out of operative position with the shaft upon which they are located.

66. In a perforating-machine for music'- rolls, the combination of a driven shaft, a series of eccentrics upon said shaft, a series of punches connected to said eccentrics, and means for individually throwing said eccentrics into and out of operative position with the shaft upon which they are placed.

67. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of punches, a continuously-rotating driving means for said punches, means for throwing one or more punches into and out of engagement with said driving means, a series of mechanieally-driven controllers, one for each punch, and a pneumatic device for each controller for throwing the same into and out of action.

68. In a perforating-macl1ine for musicrolls, a series of punches, means for throwing one or more of the punches into or out of action, a series of time-lagging devices, a paperfeeding mechanism whereby a certain amount of paper is advanced between successive punching operations of any individual punch, and a series of pneumatic devices for throwing one or more of the punches into or out of action.

69. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of punches, a contiimously-rotating driving means for the same, means for throwing one or more punches into and out of engagement therewith, a series of mechanically-driven controllers, a conthmously-rotating shaft and a series of pneumatic devices for throwing one or more of said controllers into action with said shaft.

70. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of punches, means whereby one or more of said punches are thrown into operation, a series of mechanically-driven controllers, one for each punch, a series of pneumatic devices for throwing said controllers into and out of action.

71. In a perforating-machine for musicrolls, a series of punches, a continuoi'isly-rotating driving means for the same, means for throwing one or more of said punches into or out of action, a series of mechanically-driven controllers for the punches, and a series of pneumatic means for throwing said controllers into or out of action.

7 2. In a perforating device for music-rolls, a series of punches, means for throwing one or more of said punches into or out of action, a series of mechanically-driven controllers, one for each punch, a continuously-rotating shaft, and a series .of pneumatic devices for throwing one or more of the controllers into or out of action with shaft.

7 3. In a perforating device for music-rolls, a series of punches, a continuously-rotating shaft for driving the punches, means for throwing said punches into or out of engagement with said shaft, a second continuouslyrotating shaft, a series of controllers for the punches, and means for throwing said controllers into or out of action with said second shaft.

74:. In a perforating device for music-rolls, a continuously-r0tating shaft, means whereby one or more punches are thrown into or out of action with said shaft, a series of mechanically-driven controllers, one for each punch, and a pneumatic means for throwing said controllers into or out of action.

75. A perforating-maehine comprising a driven shaft, a series of punches normally at rest, a series of means mounted on and driven by the shaft for actuating the punches, and a series of means under the control of the performer for separately throwing the actuating means into operation.

76. A perforating-machine comprising a driven shaft, a series of reciprocating punches, and a series of rotatable means under the control of the performer for throwing one or more of the punches into and out of connection with said shaft.

77 A perforating machine comprising a driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on said shaft one for each punch, a series of punches adapted to be actuated by said eccentrics, and means under the control of the performer for throwing said eccentrics into and out of connection with the shaft.

78. A perforating machine comprising a driven shaft, a series of toothed wheels on said shaft, a series of eccentrics over said toothed .wheels, a latch pivoted to each eccentric, a

punch connected to each eccentric, and means for throwing the latches into and out of connection with the toothed wheels on the shaft.

79. A perforating-machine comprising a driven shaft, a series of punches, a series of devices mounted on and driven by the shaft but normally disengaged therefrom for independently actuating the punches, means under the control of the performer for throwing said punches into and out of engagement.

80. A perforating-machine comprising a driven shaft, a series of reciprocating punches, means mounted on and driven by the shaft but normally disengaged therefrom, for actuating the punches, means for throwing the punches into operation under the control of the performer, and means for imparting to a strip of paper to be perforated a definite rate of movement through the machine.

81. In a perforating-machine, the combination of a driven shaft, a series of eccentrics on said shaft one for each punch, a series of punches adapted to be actuated by said eccentrics, means for throwing the eccentrics into and out of connection with the driven shaft, and means for imparting a definite rate of mo vement to a strip of paper under said punches.

82. In a perforating-machine, the combination of a continuously-rotating shaft, a series of punches, a reciprocating device for each punch mounted on said shaft, and means under the control of the performer for individually throwing the eccentrics into and out of connection with the shaft.

83. In a perforating-machine, the combination of a series of punches and a series of mechanical locking devices, whereby each punch is locked in operative position so that it makes one complete punching movement before it can be thrown out of action.

84. In a perforating-machine, a continuously-rotating shaft, a series of punches, and

a series of rotatable means mounted on the shaft for throwing one or more of the punches into and out of engagement with the shaft.

85. In a perforating device, the combination of a continuously-rotating shaft, a series of eccentrics normally disengaged therefrom, means for throwing the eccentrics into engagement with the shaft, and means for dis-.

engaging the eccentrics from the shaft after the eccentrics have made one revolution with the shaft.

86. In a perforatingmachine, a continuously-rotating shaft, a series of punches, a series of eccentrics actuating the punches and normally disengaged from the shaft, means for throwing the eccentrics into engagement with the shaft, and means for disengaging the eccentrics.

87. In a perforating-maehine, a continuously-rotating shaft, a series of punches, a series of reciprocating devices normally disengaged from but on the shaft, and means for throwing one or more of the reciprocating devices into and out of engagement with the shaft.

88. Ina perforating device, a continuouslyrotating shaft, a series of punching mechanisms mounted thereon but normally disengaged therefrom, and means for throwing one or more of the punching mechanisn'is into or out of engagement with the shaft at the will of the operator.

89. In a perforating device, a continuouslyrotating shaft, a series of eccentrics normally disengaged therefrom, means for throwing the eccentrics into engagement with the shaft, means for disengaging the same, and means whereby the paper that is to be perforated will be advanced a certain amount between possible successive punching operations.

90. In a perforating device, a continuouslyrotating shaft, a series of punching mechanisms mounted thereon but normally disengaged therefrom, means for throwing one or more of the punching mechanisms into or out of engagement with the shaft, and means whereby the paper that is to be perforated will be advanced a certain amount between possible successive operations.

91. In a perforating device, a continuouslyrotating shaft, a series of punching mechanisms mounted thereon but normally disengaged therefrom, means for throwing one or more of the punching mechanisms into or out of engagement with the shaft at the will of the operator, and means whereby the paper that is to be perforated will be advanced a certain amount between possible successive operations.

92. In a perforating-machine, a series of punches, and a series of mechanical locking devices, whereby each punch is locked in operative position so that it makes at least one com plete punching movement after ithas been thrown into action before it can be thrown out of action.

93. In a perforating-machine, a series of punches tending to throw themselves into action, and a series of mechanical locking devices, whereby each punch is locked in operativc position so that it makes at least one complete punching movement after it has been ITO thrown into action before it can be thrown out of action.

94. In a perforating-machine, a series of punches, and a series of mechanical means, whereby each punch is locked in operative position so that it makes at least one complete punching movement after it has been thrown into action and before it can be thrown out of action.

95. In a perforating-machine, a series of punches, and a series of means, whereby one or more punches are retained in operative position so that it makes at least one complete punching movement after it has been thrown into action before it can be thrown out of action.

96. In a perforating-machine, a series of punches tending to throw themselves into action, and aseries of means whereby each punch is locked in operative position so that it makes at least one complete punching movement after it has been thrown into action before it can be thrown out of action.

97. A perforating device for music-rolls, comprising in its construction a driven shaft, a series of loosely-mounted controllers on said shaft, a series of perforating devices, means under the control of the operator for holding said controllers in a fixed position, and means on said shaft for rotating said controllers, whereby the perforating devices are thrown into action when released by the operator.

98. A perforating device for music-rolls comprising a driven shaft, a second driven shaft whose speed of rotation bears a definite ratio to that of the first shaft, mechanism introduced between the shafts for transmitting the motion of one shaft to the other, a series of plates on the first-named shaft, means on said shaft for rotating said plates when released by the operator, a series of punches, means carried by said second-named shaft adapted when actuated to throw the punches into the punching position, and means for throwing said punches into the punching position controlled by the movement of the plates on the first-named shaft.

99. In a perforating device for music-rolls, the combination of a keyboard, a series of punches, means for introducing a time interval between the action of the keys of the keyboard and the punches, and means for moving the material to be perforated a given amount between successive operations of the punches.

100. In a perforating device for music-rolls, the combination of a keyboard, a series of punches, a series of timing devices, a driving device, and means whereby a punch will remain in engagement with said driving device for one or more complete reciprocations of a timing device.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY PRICE BALL.

Witnesses:

J. E. PEARSON, (J. E. STEOHER. 

